∙Fully restored and improved 240
∙Garaged daily since restoration
∙Owned by current keeper since 1989
∙Photographic record of works carried out

With the new XJ6 saloon launched in 1968, Jaguar slimmed down its iconic compact Mk2 model to appeal to a less exclusive audience. 

The 240 and 340 were the company’s answer to cars such as the Rover P6 and Triumph 2500, which were both selling well in the small luxury car market, and were essentially a pared-down Mk2 with Ambla (leather-style) trim in place of leather, slimmer and smaller chrome bumpers and a simplified interior. 

While seen as the poor relation by some, the 240 was actually a big improvement over the entry-level Mk2 as it gained some much needed mechanical improvements, finally being given the sort of power it should have enjoyed years before.

Out went the old restrictive B-Type cylinder head and Solex carbs, replaced by a straight-ported E-type-style top end with twin 1.75 SU carbs and a new distributor, improved cooling system and twin exhausts, which raised the power of the 2,483cc from 120bhp to a far more respectable 133bhp.

The car we have here is a 1968 240 with all of the above mechanical enhancements, but which has been put back as close as possible to Mk 2 spec – with the original chunky bumpers and a respray in Old English White, which really suits the iconic lines. 

It’s an older but well-preserved restoration that the current owner has cherished for many years, but a yearning for a classic Porsche 911 means he’s decided to put his beloved Jaguar up for sale.

While the car’s very early history offers slim-pickings, its life since 1989 is well-documented as that is when the current owner acquired it. 

During the 1990s and 2000s, he was a garage proprietor and the 240 was restored by his staff between jobs, receiving a full mechanical and bodily rebuild as well as a complete rewire and fuel system refresh. 

It was also resprayed from its original dark blue to Old English White and fitted with the chunkier MK 2 bumpers to make it look like an earlier car. It passes the test as well – you’d not realise it wasn’t a Mk 2 other than for the badge on the boot lid.

The 240 is supplied with a folder of bills and history in an A4 lever arch file, documenting all of the parts bought for the car over a period of more than 30 years, plus a sheath of old MoT certificates and tax discs, and a wonderfully worded complaint letter to an insurance company that ‘repaired’ the car unsatisfactorily after a minor traffic accident back in 1992. 

There are also a couple of magazines featuring the car along with original Jaguar manufacturers’ workshop manuals.

It might not be full leather, but the red interior of the 240 is still incredibly inviting, with the seats, carpets and door cards all being in excellent order with no significant fading or damage.

The wooden dash is also in good order and all of the dials operate as they should, while the pale grey headlining is in good order, the courtesy lights work perfectly and it’s all very clean and presentable. 

The owner has added a couple of details of his own, including a delicate wood-rimmed Moto-Lita steering wheel and a period-style radio, which is actually Bluetooth/USB unit with the style of a 1960s radio.

It may not be its original hue, but the Old English White bodywork of the Jaguar looks amazing and is in superbly presented condition.

The paint finish is good all over with only a few very small blemishes, while the panels are all straight and true. Period wire wheels with spin-off centres are an addition – originally, a 240 would have had steel wheels with chrome centre caps, but because of the MK 2 bumpers they suit the style of this car really well.

Underneath, it has been repaired over the years but to a decent standard, as you’d expect from a professional bodyshop, and has been undersealed to protect it from the elements. 

It’s a fine-looking car that has been improved to the owner’s personal tastes and has been done to a very high standard.

The 2,483cc six fires up well from cold and soon settles to a steady idle even in freezing conditions (as we found out!), while it also emits only a normal amount of smoke and soon reaches temperature. 

It has been serviced annually at the owner’s garage and has received anything it has ever needed during the 30+ years that he has owned it, so it’s no surprise that it’s in good order. 

The car has a four-speed manual transmission with overdrive on third and fourth, which is the one to have. It goes well into all gears.

The brakes, steering and suspension also appear to be in good order.

Okay, so it’s not a Mk2 – but who would even notice? This is a fabulous looking car, and with the Mk 2 enhancements and higher performance engine is in many ways a much nicer thing than a standard Mk2 2.4 would ever be. 

The colour scheme really suits it, it comes from a long-term owner who has clearly cherished it and maintained it and it’s in fabulous order. A fine example of an iconic British classic.

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